Five ways my dog has helped me grow…

On Monday, Duke, my Pit Bull Terrier turned five. So, in honor of his fifth birthday here are five ways he helped me grow.

1. He taught me to love the Pit Bull Terrier breed. Before I adopted Duke, I had only seen the Pit Bull Terrier on TV. When Duke bounced into the house, I was unsure about his temperament. However, I learned quickly was that the tv show was correct and Pit Bull Terriers are extremely sweet and loving. Not to mention full of energy.
2. Anxiety is not everything. Duke suffers from anxiety, but I have been working with him on that. Over time he has improved. I have started to use this strategy in my own life, and I have found that I am improving with my own anxiety.
3. Do not judge a book by its cover. When people first meet Duke sometimes, they are scared because of his breed. It is my job as the handler to educate others about Duke’s breed and that he is sweet. Once I educate them and they pet Duke they usually change their minds.
4. Have fun with life. Most of the time I am uptight and worried about how life is going to work out. Duke has taught me to lay in the sun, watch the birds and enjoy life.
5. He taught me to let my heart grow. When I first adopted Duke, I was feeling a lack of confidence. Noodles, my beloved Boston Terrier, passed away a year before and I had felt lonely and lost. I thought I could never love another dog again, but I was wrong. As I worked and bonded with Duke, I grew to love him. He is a sweet boy, and he is a joy to have.

Happy birthday Duke! Here is to many more walks, tugs of wars and cuddles. 😊